Guwahati, May 20: The Northeast Frontier Railway successfully hosted the ‘Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Literature Festival 2026’ to celebrate the industrial heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and the rich oral and literary traditions of the Himalayan region. Officials announced this on Tuesday.
The four-day festival, held from May 15 to 18, was organized in collaboration with the creative group ‘Poets of Community.’ Kapinjhal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northeast Frontier Railway, shared details about the event.
A grand closing ceremony took place on Monday, featuring a certificate distribution event that saw enthusiastic participation from students, youth, writers, artists, and local community members.
Sharma noted that through a vibrant mix of literature, music, storytelling, and community engagement, the festival created a meaningful cultural platform that highlighted the region’s diverse artistic and literary heritage.
Events in Kurseong and Darjeeling attracted active participation from writers, artists, students, and literature enthusiasts from various parts of the region.
On the opening day at Victoria Boys’ School in Kurseong, renowned author and IIT Roorkee alumna Megha Mittal conducted an engaging workshop titled ‘Why is Poetry Boring?’ encouraging students to view poetry as a contemporary and expressive art form.
Following the program, an interactive folklore and storytelling session was held at Café De Central in Kurseong, celebrating the oral traditions and folk tales of Himalayan communities.
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